Ordeal of U.S. student in N.Korea, now in coma, 'terrible thing'

Warmbier is in stable condition at UC Medical Center, where he was taken Tuesday night after his arrival in Ohio.

The university student had been on a tourist trip when he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years hard labour, a punishment the USA decried as far out of proportion to his alleged crime, accusing the North of using him as a political pawn. He opens his eyes but does not show signs of understanding language or responding, Dr. Daniel Kanter, professor of neurology and director of the Neurocritical Care Program said.

"I'm proud of Otto, and the courage he showed by going to North Korea", Otto's father Fred Warmbier said at a press conference on Thursday, wearing the same jacket Otto wore when he appeared in a North Korean courtroom.

USA and North Korean officials said Rodman played no role in freeing Warmbier and the timing of the release and Rodman's arrival was a coincidence.

They said they had found no indication of botulism, a toxin that causes nerve damage.

In its first official comment since Warmbier was returned home, North Korea said it released him for humanitarian reasons. He was charged with "hostile acts against the state" and, after a sham trial, sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

Doctors said they don't know what caused the brain damage.

Warmbier, 22, arrived in the United States on Tuesday.

When asked about that, Fred Warmbier said he thinks the State Department was pretty tough with them.

At a news conference earlier on Thursday, father Fred Warmbier said they are left with many questions and no answers.

A hospital official from UC Health said later today three doctors will share an update on Otto's medical condition.

However, North Korean authorities said they had security footage from the Pyongyang hotel where Warmbier was staying showing him trying to steal a banner containing a political slogan that was hanging on a wall. The State Department called the effort "quiet diplomacy" at a time of North Korean missile tests and increasing USA pressure on Kim Jong Un's totalitarian government.

The doctors said they are not aware of anything from his previous medical history, prior to his time in North Korea, that might cause cardiopulmonary arrest. His family was unaware of his condition until he was released.

Fred and Cindy Warmbier, Otto's parents, have also expressed disbelief at North Korea's story that their son caught extreme food poisoning.

President Donald Trump on Friday said he was "glad" the United States was able to rescue Otto Warmbier from North Korean custody.

He said Otto "is not in great shape right now" and that his family is "adjusting to a different reality".

The retired basketball player said before leaving for Pyongyang last week that his mission was to try to build bridges between the U.S. and the reclusive state.

"The North Koreans lure Americans to travel to North Korea via tour groups run out of China, who advertise slick ads on the Internet claiming no American ever gets detained off of our tours, and this is a safe place to go". Three other Americans remain detained in North Korea. The Republican congressman says he wants to make sure the Treasury Department does not issue licenses for tourism to North Korea.

RECCOMENDED STORIES

ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Today's Match
Even at 228 for 4 in 43 overs, it could have thought it would touch 300, but Bangladesh's bowlers maintained excellent discipline. Taylor hit an unhurried 63 off 82 balls, including six fours, before his mistimed ramp shot cost him at 201-4 in the 39th over.

Geese defecate on Disneyland crowd
Disneyland reportedly gave the affected guests clean clothes to wear, and a private bathroom to clean themselves up in. In another tweet, the Anaheim Fire Department tweeted there were "No injuries and no transports".

How Real Madrid celebrated their Champions League victory
CRISTIANO RONALDO is still in party-mode following Real Madrid's Champions League triumph over Juventus on Saturday. For Ronaldo it was a sensational finale to the season which must now end with him winning his fifth Ballon D'Or.

Busy Aisha Tyler says goodbye to 'The Talk' after 6 years
After her official announcement during the show, Tyler shared a photo of her with her co-hosts with the caption, "Love". And the actress indeed has a very busy schedule, as she lends her voice to the hit animated show Archer , stars as Dr.

Sea Of Thieves Shows Us Some Campaign Footage At E3
The walkthrough also features fights with zombies of previous pirates as well as fights with other thieve ships. In the meantime, let's go back to the game's announcement and look at everything we've learned about it so far.

Former Walberg aide among those shot
Arkansas-based Tyson Foods Inc. says one of its employees was among those shot at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday. The Republican congressional baseball team was practicing on a suburban Virginia field Wednesday when James T.

Minecraft is Getting a Major 4K Update This Fall
But when you are adding to the existing world, slowly and continuously over the years, then the constraints do become an issue. Saves and other purchased content will be transferable between the old and newer versions of the game .

Trump set to roll back Obama policy on Cuba
After Trump had dinner with Rubio in February, the President heralded the senator's views on Cuban relations. That could have far-reaching effects since the military touches nearly every corner of the Cuban economy.